Borders is doomed

Since my local Borders store had a "Kobo in stock July 2!" little card displayed with the other eReaders last weekend, I called them today, looking for another Kobo as a gift.

I called FIVE Borders stores in my region (Southern California). NOT A SINGLE ONE KNEW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. No one who answered the phone knew what a "Kobo" was.

I kid you not. Every time I asked, "Are the kobo eReaders in stock yet?" - I had to be placed on hold ... had to repeat myself. The fourth store cheerily stated that they had a bunch of them in stock. I repeated myself, "Wow, the Borders kobo eReader?"

"Oh, yes - made by Sony, we have a lot of them in stock ... "

If Borders think they are going to seriously enter the eReader business, they need to get their employees on board. Now.

I am writing Borders' customer care right now. I am a fan of this device. But if the front line sales staff is asked for a Kobo and hands me a Sony - then Borders' eReader presence is doomed.

Clint Bradford Grumpy from being up all night (g)

P.S. - Store managers this morning gave me FOUR different arrival dates: 12th, 15, and 17, and "call next week."

My nearest Borders heard of it and actually had a demo model — but doesn’t anymore. I guess that’s something. But multiply your experience by TEN — because that’s what Borders has stated it wants to do. Carry a selection of TEN eBook devices in its upcoming in-store “Area E.” “Oh yes, we have the Alex Reader. That’s the one from Sony, right?”

I had a 20+ minute telephone conversation yesterday with a resolution specialist at Borders corporate. I was very pleased with what I heard. I firmly believe that there WILL be shared employee knowledge when the kobo rolls out to Borders retail stores in the middle of this month. Call me an optimist … (g)